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Page | 200 Verification of whether or not the household incurs a utility expense over and above their utility reimbursement is required only if the household’s claim to the utility expense is questionable.

Telephone expenses are not used in the determination on whether or not the household will pay out-of-pocket utility expenses. If the household receives a utility reimbursement payment and states the payment will cover all utility expenses it is intended for, the household will have the Phone Utility Allowance (PUA), if eligible.

The following information is helpful in determining what utility standard (if any) should be allowed:

1. New Residence: Determine if the household reasonably anticipates making payments to any non-telephone utility provider over and above the utility reimbursement payment in any one month during the next 12 months. Documentation of how the anticipated expense was determined is important.  If the anticipation is not reasonable, require further information (statement from landlord regarding averaged seasonal bill, or verification from the provider of the averaged seasonal bill, etc.).  If the verification does not support out of pocket payments in excess of the utility payment, only allow the telephone standard (if entitled to it) until the household submits verification of the out of pocket expense.

2. Same Residence: Determine if the household reasonably anticipates making payments to any non-telephone utility provider over and above the utility reimbursement payment in any one month during the next 12 months. Determine if the household is eligible for any of the utility standards.

If yes, • Verify what payments were made to a non-telephone utility provider in excess of the utility reimbursement payment any one month in the past 12 months. • Allow the appropriate utility allowance and document.

If no, • do not allow any non-telephone utility allowances until the household submits verification of the out of pocket expense for heat or cooling. • If the household is not allowed a utility allowance and is responsible for telephone, allow the telephone utility allowance.

Example 2: Jane reported moving into low-income housing. Jane does not have heat expenses but has an air conditioner and pays electricity. She states her utility reimbursement payment is $100 a month and anticipates paying an excess of $100 for electricity. This does not seem reasonable, so verification was requested. The landlord quoted an average electricity payment of $80 during the summer months and $50 during the rest of the year. The SUA would not be allowed because the utility payment is in excess of the anticipated electricity bill. If Jane later provides an electricity bill in excess of the utility reimbursement, the SUA may then be allowed. Example 1: John reported he moved into a low-income apartment. He is billed for propane heat and electricity. John does not have cooling costs. He receives a $100 monthly utility reimbursement payment. The landlord quoted the average propane cost for the heating season at $800 (September - April) and electricity about $50 a month. Anticipated monthly utility expense during the heating season is $150. If John states he spends out-of-pocket money for the heat bill, he is entitled to the SUA during the renewal period. (He is entitled because his anticipated costs are reasonable.)